Card Making Techniques

Although you can buy many cards and supplies ready to use you many still find extra things you need such as an inlay for a card or an aperture on a card that does not have one.  These are some of the cardmaking techniques that are essential to ensure your cards look professional even if you have to make everything yourself.  If you think something does not look straight then you can be sure your customer will think the same thing. 

Scoring and folding 

If you need to fold some paper or card then you will gain a more professional finish if you score the fold first.   

1. On the inside of the card make two pencil marks where you want the score line and line up a metal ruler to the marks. 
2. Use a blunt point, such as an empty ballpoint pen, and draw a line down the ruler so that there is an indent in the paper. 
3. Fold the card or paper using both hands. 
4. Press down the folded line with the side of a bone folder to give the fold a sharp edge.  

Cutting 

If you want a clean cut then you have to use the right tools. Your work surface needs to be flat, and you need to be using a sharp craft knife along with a metal ruler. 

1. Mark the paper of card with two pencil marks to show where you want to cut. 
2. Line up the metal ruler to your marks; it is easier to do this standing so you can place more pressure on the ruler. 
3. Hold the ruler firmly in place and draw the knife towards you along the line.   

Tearing 

A torn paper, rather than a cut piece, can give a lot more depth to a card but you must pay attention to the grain of the paper you are using. 

1. Tearing with the grain is best for obtaining a relatively straight line. 
2. It is harder to tear against the grain and gives more uneven tears. 
3. If you require straight edges with a torn effect you many choose to use a ruler.  Hold the metal ruler down firmly then tear the paper towards you with the other hand. 

Cutting Apertures 

A hole in the middle of the front of a card is the aperture; these are not always used but can be an effective tool for beautiful cards.  You can buy blank cards with the aperture pre-cut but sometime you may find yourself needing to cut them yourself. 

1. Use a ruler, pencil and set square to draw the aperture you require onto the card. 
2. Place the metal ruler on the outside of the aperture and cut the first line with a sharp craft knife. 
3. Turn the card around and repeat the process on the other sides, ensuring that you do not cut further than you need to. 
4. The centre piece should fall away when you have completed the final cut, if it does not use the knife to cut any pieces you have missed. 

Handmade card envelopes and boxes give your cards the real handmade feel.